History Courses

HIST 101: History of World Civilization I

A history of Western and non-Western civilizations from ancient times until the Reformation. Culture, society, and political and social institutions will merit special study.

3 credit hours

HIST 102: History of World Civilization II

Offered: Spring

A history of civilization since the Renaissance. Ideas, economic systems, institutions, progress, and the development of modern man will be discussed. Recent developments in the non-Western world will also receive attention.

3 credit hours

HIST 203: American History I

Offered: Fall

Early American history from the Colonial period to the end of Reconstruction. Emphasis on political and economic development with attention to social and cultural growth.

3 credit hours

HIST 204: American History II

Offered: Spring

The United States from the end of Reconstruction to the present. The nation’s response to rapid industrialization and urbanization, and the country’s expanding role as a major world power.

3 credit hours

HIST 261: Kentucky History

Offered: Spring

The course surveys the history of the Commonwealth from the first 17th century accounts of a fabled land to the present. Particular emphasis is paid to early exploration and settlement, the Civil War in Kentucky, the growth of industrialism, political traditions and an examination of the state’s seven principal regions.

3 credit hours

HIST 310: Asian History

Prerequisites: HIST 101 or 102 or permission of the instructor; junior status

Offered: As needed

History of China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia with special concentration on the last five centuries. Asia’s uniqueness as well as its contacts with the West will be emphasized.

3 credit hours

HIST 311 (also POLS 311): History and Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa

Prerequisites: HIST 101 or 102 or permission of the instructor; junior status

Offered: As needed

A history of the development of the social institutions, value systems and political organizations of Sub-Saharan Africa. The course will include discussion of Africa’s ancient kingdoms, the impact of the Atlantic slave trade, and the development of colonial empires on the African continent.

3 credit hours

HIST 321: Early Modern Europe

Prerequisites: HIST 101, 102; junior status

Offered: Fall

History of Europe from the close of the Middle Ages to the eve of the French Revolution. The course will concentrate on the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the rise of the great nation states of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

3 credit hours

HIST 322: Europe Since 1789

Prerequisites: HIST 101, 102; junior status

Offered: Spring

Europe from the genesis of the French Revolution to the recent past. Trends in European culture, politics, economics, diplomacy and society will be featured.

3 credits

HIST 331: American and Colonial Revolutionary History

Prerequisites: HIST 203, 204; junior status

Offered: Spring

This course deals with important topics in American history from the voyage of Columbus to the ratification of the Constitution of 1787. The course emphasizes the development of England’s American colonies, the independence movement, and the successful establishment of the United States of America.

3 credit hours

HIST 332: Nineteenth Century America

Prerequisites: HIST 203, 204; junior status

Offered: Spring, even years

This course explores important topics relating to the history of the United States during the period between ratification of the Constitution in 1787 and the beginning of the twentieth century. The course will examine important political, social and economic areas of American development during the new nation period, the era of the Civil War, and the Gilded Age.

3 credit hours

HIST 333: Twentieth Century America

Prerequisites: HIST 203, 204; junior status

Offered: Fall

This course deals with important topics in the history of the United States during the period from the late-nineteenth century to the present. The course approaches American development in a broad manner calculated to heighten student awareness of America’s place in an increasingly interrelated world.

3 credit hours

HIST 460-469: Special Topics in History

Prerequisites: Junior status or permission of instructor

Offered: As needed

This course will explore selected topics of historical importance. Potential topics include American Social History, History of Russia and the Soviet Union, History of the Middle East, Constitutional History of the United States, Appalachian History, History of Latin America and other topics as desired.

3 credit hours

HIST 488: Senior Seminar

Prerequisites: Senior status or permission of instructor

Offered: Spring

This course will allow students to improve their historical research and writing skills. Students will be expected to write a well-developed paper on a topic of their choosing. Students may choose either an American or a World History topic. This is the capstone course for the History major.